A man from County Antrim, whose father passed away during the Covid-19 outbreak, has sharedthe Covid-19 Inquirythat he did not see his father again after the lockdown, as the care home where his father was located closed abruptly without informing the family.
Ivor McQuitty, aged 84, passed away in May 2020 at a hospital due to complications from Covid-19. He also suffered from dementia and was completely deaf in both ears.
For the first time publicly addressing his father's passing, Gregory McQuitty portrayed his father as the most truthful, diligent, and exemplary individual he strives to emulate in life.
For over five weeks, the Covid-19 Inquiry, based in London, has been collecting statements from the care industry, including residents and their relatives, regarding the assistance they received throughout the pandemic.
The legal representatives of the NI Covid Bereaved Families Group stated that "the separation from loved ones was a cost too high for many, it was excessively harsh, distressing, and should never happen again."
Mr. McQuitty mentioned that following the lockdown, the care home did not reach out to the family to give an update on their father, and any communication was initiated by Mr. McQuitty's family.
Gregory McQuitty stated that his father's death certificate indicated he passed away due to Covid and additionally from heart failure.
"There are numerous unresolved questions regarding my father's passing... we simply aren't aware of what occurred," he stated during the investigation.
Emotional evidence
A nurse used an iPad to help the family stay in touch with their father before he passed away, but Gregory found it "too distressing" since his father was deeply deaf.
He informed the investigation that his father's funeral was highly formal and "nothing about it was even close to normal," with only 11 individuals permitted to be present.
We managed to carry the coffin approximately 10 meters, there was no funeral procession, no tales for the grandchildren, and no handshakes. The open book remains unclosed.
Following his father's passing, medical documents showed that he had visited the hospital 19 times because of falls, but the family was informed on only four of those instances.
Mr. McQuitty mentioned that he sent three letters to the health minister, Robin Swann, after his father's passing but did not get a response.
Mr. McQuitty, who remained emotional during his testimony, mentioned that although he was very anxious, it was crucial for him to come forward in support of his father.
Deeply affected by the evidence, The Chair of the Inquiry, Baroness Hallett, said to Mr. McQuitty: "Consider how your father gained from such a close and affectionate family."
She proceeded to express her gratitude for his journey to London.
Following 18 days of evidence, during its final arguments, the legal representatives of the grieving families in the UK stated that although the vulnerability of the care industry was well recognized prior to the pandemic, the inquiry has revealed that the conditions remain unchanged.
The counselor mentioned that the absence of equal treatment between health and social care is still evident in lower salaries for social care workers and the insufficient acknowledgment of their skills and contributions.
Demand for changes in the nursing home system
The families of the deceased from Northern Ireland for justice (NIBFFJ) stated that changes to the system must begin immediately, and suggestions for the social care field should be strong and implemented as soon as feasible.
It also mentioned that care homes were not a government focus during the pandemic, with "residents' rights being weakened and monitoring systems removed when there was an immediate requirement."
As per NICBFG, the RQIA's withdrawal of regulatory inspections "eliminated essential supervision from care homes during a period of emergency".
Brenda Campbell KC questioned why "so many individuals in the social care system had to experience such prolonged hardship" and who was responsible for so many lives being lost.
She mentioned that the vulnerability of the social care system prior to the pandemic was extensively recorded, and she stated that governments and public officials had been informed both before and throughout the pandemic that individuals depending on social care services needed particular attention.
Ms. Campbell mentioned that during the inquiry, they frequently heard the phrase combined with "a shrug of the shoulders," as if it were the solution rather than the issue, highlighting that the social care sector was "the Cinderella service."
She mentioned that in order to strengthen the care sector for the future, there is a requirement to "work together and seek advice," as well as a need for "equivalence" between health and social care, ensuring both receive the appropriate recognition and funding.
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